Cru Cafe

4.7

4361 Reviews

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

18 Pinckney Street, Charleston, SC 29401

About this restaurant

Innovative
Neighborhood gem
Romantic

It's the Holy City's Hidden Gem! Cru Café is Charleston's home to some of the best gourmet comfort food in the Lowcountry. Cru Café is the culinary creation of renowned Le Cordon Bleu graduate, Chef John Zucker. Opened in 2002 in response to overwhelming demand, Cru Café is a culinary destination off the beaten path in in a classic 18th century Charleston single-style home. Cru Café and its award-winning Cru Catering division are consistently ranked as top eateries by locals and tourists alike. From our famous Four Cheese Macaroni to our tasty Thai Seafood Risotto, we feature something for everyone. And if you're in the mood for lighter fare, try our Chinese Chicken Salad or Duck Confit Salad. Guests of the restaurant can enjoy daily specials, indoor and outdoor porch seating, a wine list tailored to the varied menu and rich, mouthwatering desserts. We invite to stop in and enjoy a delicious meal with us today.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Comfort Food, Fusion / Eclectic, Southern
Hours of operation
Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Phone number
(843) 534-2434
Website
http://www.crucafe.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
John Zucker
Catering
Voted Charleston's best caterer consecutively since 2001 by the Charleston City Paper, our Cru Catering branch offers full service customized catering, in-house personal chefs, corporate catering, receptions, weddings and private parties. Please contact us at 843-534-2433. <br />www.crucatering.com
Private party facilities
Our private party area is upstairs above the general dining room. It seats 18 comfortably and can be arranged/decorated however you choose. Please contact us for details.
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Location
18 Pinckney Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Neighborhood
Downtown Charleston
Cross street
East Bay St
Parking details
Cru Cafe does NOT offer parking. The gravel lot across the street is owned and operated by Palmetto Carriage Company. There is a public parking deck located off Pinckney Street behind the Bank of America building. The address is 200 Meeting Street.
Entertainment
Private Upstairs Dinning Room available for up to 18 people.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine

Chinese Chicken Salad
Julienne Napa Cabbage, Carrots, Peppers, Daikon, Red Onion, Fried Wontons, and Ginger Dressing
- Appetizer$9.00
- Entree$12.25
Mesclun Fried Goat Cheese
Mixed Greens, Tomato, Red Onion, Pine Nut Goat Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Appetizer$9.00
- Entree$12.25
Butter Lettuce Salad
Poached Pears, Walnuts, Gorgonzola, Honey Sherry Vinaigrette
- Appetizer$9.00
- Entree$12.25
Duck Confit Arugula Salad
Candied Pecans, Tomato, Fried Onions, Port Wine Vinaigrette
- Appetizer$9.00
- Entree$12.25
Cru Caesar Salad
Parmesan, Sourdough Crouton, Caesar Dressing
- Appetizer$9.00
- Entree$12.25

Salad Add-Ons

Seared Salmon$4.00
Grilled Shrimp$4.00

Small Plates

Fried Calamari$10.75
Slaw and Sesame Dressing
White Wine Truffled Mussels$10.25
Tomato Concassé, Peppers, Marinara
House-Smoked Salmon$9.75
Rye, Housemade Pickles, Dill Cream
Fried Green Tomato$10.75
Pork Belly Croutons, Sheep's Milk Feta, Smoked Tomato Caramel

Soups

Soup Bowl$4.75
Soup + Salad$13.50
Soup + Sandwich$10.50

Lunch Sandwiches & Wraps

Choose one: fries, mash potato, salad, asian slaw, fresh fruit

Garlic Chicken Club*$9.95
Pepper Jack, Sourdough Bread
Balsamic Portabello Wrap*$8.95
Vegetables and Mozzarella Wrap
Capicola, Salami & Prosciutto*$9.95
Mozzarella, Balsamic Reduction
Angus Burger Au Poivre$8.50
Shrimp B.L.T*$12.50
Pepper Jack, Beurre Blanc
Coconut Fried Oyster Wrap$9.95
with Carm Onions, Chipotle Mayo, Pepper Jack
BBQ Beef Brisket$10.25
Southern Slaw, Zesty BBQ Sauce
Smoked Turkey and Brie*$9.95
Arugula, Apple Chutney
General Tso's Chicken Caesar Wrap$10.50

Lunch Entree

Orange Glazed Tilapia$13.95
with Mixed Greens, Pear, Tomato, Pine Nut, Honey Sherry Vinaigrette
Shrimp & Angel Hair$12.75
Tomato, Basil and Garlic
Caramelized Onion Meatloaf$11.75
Mash Potato, Mushroom Gravy
Cru's General Tso's Chicken$10.95
Fried Rice and Asian Slaw

Sides

Four Cheese Macaroni$8.50
Sauteed Vegetables$4.50
French Fries$4.50
Mash Potato$4.50
Potato Gratin$4.50
Seared Mushrooms$4.95
Truffle Fries$7.25
Fried Onions$4.50

What 4,361 people are saying

Cru Cafe reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7

4.7 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.3Ambience
2.6Value

Noise • Moderate

4,324 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Philadelphia2 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 8, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, great service, great atmosphere!
Is this helpful?
TG
TerriG
Raleigh39 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 7, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great local restaurant. Very cozy. Buttermilk fried oyster salad is the bomb!
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p
peterz
New York City3 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 5, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had the best ever snapper and scallops made superb with the dressings/sauces. Cru is in the hands of 5 star chefs--an experience to not be missed !!
Is this helpful?
SR
SamanthaR
Philadelphia4 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 29, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Baby Sprinkle
Is this helpful?
P
Petals
Charleston15 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 23, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our dinner was delicious as always!! CRU is a fun restaurant. Interesting people. Superb server, our favorite, Talia. Can’t wait to return!!
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A
Amyxo VIP
Cincinnati63 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Simple, flavorful food served by attentive staff. Put this on your list for lunch!
Is this helpful?
DG
DemetriusG
Orlando2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 14, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food, polite, helpful and friendly staff. I had reservations for the Chef’s Table. This is where you sit and you are able to see into the kitchen and watch the staff cook. However, I could tell that my wife didn’t like the set up and would rather be at a regular table. The staff moved us to a different location and the meal was great. The staff even gave us suggestions for bars that we could go to after dinner.
Is this helpful?
FS
FredS
Atlanta13 reviews
4.0
Dined on February 14, 2020
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We have been eating at Cru’ for more years than I can recount. Always good to great food. We have never been disappointed. We’re always in Charleston in February, but book our reservation the prior November - to make sure we get a table when we want. They’re that busy!
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A
Alice VIP
Charleston40 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 11, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always great service and delicious food.
Is this helpful?
CH
ChrisH
Baltimore1 review
5.0
Dined on January 26, 2020
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cru Cafe was great. I like the unpretentious atmosphere and the wait staff was incredibly fun and friendly.
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FAQs

Cru Cafe offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (843) 534-2434.

Cru Cafe is rated 4.7 stars by 4361 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

18 Pinckney Street, Charleston, SC 29401

Additional information

Cross street
East Bay St
Neighborhood
Downtown Charleston
Hours of operation
Lunch: Tuesday - Saturday: 11:00am - 3:00pm; Dinner: Tuesday - Thursday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm, Friday & Saturday: 5:00pm - 11:00pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Comfort Food, Fusion / Eclectic, Southern
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Cru Cafe does NOT offer parking. The gravel lot across the street is owned and operated by Palmetto Carriage Company. There is a public parking deck located off Pinckney Street behind the Bank of America building. The address is 200 Meeting Street.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
John Zucker
Entertainment
Private Upstairs Dinning Room available for up to 18 people.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Chef's Table, Counter Seating, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wine
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Website
http://www.crucafe.com/
Phone number
(843) 534-2434
Catering
Voted Charleston's best caterer consecutively since 2001 by the Charleston City Paper, our Cru Catering branch offers full service customized catering, in-house personal chefs, corporate catering, receptions, weddings and private parties. Please contact us at 843-534-2433. <br />www.crucatering.com
Private party facilities
Our private party area is upstairs above the general dining room. It seats 18 comfortably and can be arranged/decorated however you choose. Please contact us for details.

Cru Cafe

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Salads

Chinese Chicken Salad

Mesclun Fried Goat Cheese

Butter Lettuce Salad

Duck Confit Arugula Salad

Cru Caesar Salad

Salad Add-Ons

Seared Salmon$4.00

Grilled Shrimp$4.00

Small Plates

Fried Calamari$10.75

White Wine Truffled Mussels$10.25

House-Smoked Salmon$9.75

Fried Green Tomato$10.75

Soups

Soup Bowl$4.75

Soup + Salad$13.50

Soup + Sandwich$10.50

Lunch Sandwiches & Wraps

Garlic Chicken Club*$9.95

Balsamic Portabello Wrap*$8.95

Capicola, Salami & Prosciutto*$9.95

Angus Burger Au Poivre$8.50

Shrimp B.L.T*$12.50

Coconut Fried Oyster Wrap$9.95

BBQ Beef Brisket$10.25

Smoked Turkey and Brie*$9.95

General Tso's Chicken Caesar Wrap$10.50

Lunch Entree

Orange Glazed Tilapia$13.95

Shrimp & Angel Hair$12.75

Caramelized Onion Meatloaf$11.75

Cru's General Tso's Chicken$10.95

Sides

Four Cheese Macaroni$8.50

Sauteed Vegetables$4.50

French Fries$4.50

Mash Potato$4.50

Potato Gratin$4.50

Seared Mushrooms$4.95

Truffle Fries$7.25

Fried Onions$4.50

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Cru Cafe offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cru Cafe restaurant rated?

Permanently Closed

Additional information